Barak considered purchasing Greek island for army training

Defense Minister Ehud Barak looked into the possibility of purchasing a Greek island to use as a site for military training, it emerged on Wednesday.

A Defense Ministry official confirmed the report, originally published in Yediot Aharonot, saying that Barak made an inquiry with Greek officials earlier this year, but later came to the conclusion that the island was not necessary or relevant to IDF needs and the matter was closed.

Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herschkowitz reportedly pitched the idea after hearing the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras say that he would consider selling or leasing uninhabited islands. Herschkowitz later met with officials in Greece and relayed his findings to Barak.